SpongeBob SquarePants

This is SpongeBob SquarePants, star of his own animated TV series, a feature film, and, last year, the model for the victim of a prankish kidnap plot.

An inflatable SpongeBob SquarePants figure sits on top of a Burger King in Portsmouth, Va., Nov. 30, 2004. Inflatable versions of movie and TV star SpongeBob SquarePants were mysteriously disappearing last year from the roofs of Burger King restaurants.

If SpongeBob has a daddy in real life, it's creator Steve Hillenburg.

Here are Patrick and SpongeBob in a scene from "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie."

Here are Mindy, SpongeBob and Patrick in "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie."

SpongeBob Squarepants makes his way along the parade route during the Macy's Parade in New York Nov. 25, 2004.

Here is another view of the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon during the 78th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 25, 2004, in New York. Here, the balloon came to a stop to let traffic through at 42nd Street and Broadway in Times Square.

Actors Bill Fagerbakke, from left, David Hasselhoff, Scarlett Johansson and actor Tom Kenny arrive at the premiere of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" Nov. 14, 2004, in Hollywood.

Jon Bon Jovi and SpongeBob Squarepants are shown at the 3rd Annual Dream Halloween Fundraiser hosted by the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, held at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Oct. 24, 2004, in New York.

SpongeBob SquarePants rides during the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, Nov. 28, 2004.